morlock etal



2,837,057 RITING Jun@ 3, i958 K. MoRLocK ET AL MECHANICAL MULTI- COLOR PENCIL. OF THEBALL-W OR LEAD-WRITING TYPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 22. 1955 Eugen Y I Il. I.

Emme 3, i958 K. MoRLocK ET AL 2,837,057

MECHANICAL MULTI-COLOR PENCIL oF THE BALL-WRITING CR LEAD-WRITING TYPE Filed April 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/Gf? F761@ i I I -I I I I I I I I. l I I I I 54 I United States Patent() MECHANICAL MULTI-CLOR PENCIL OF THE BALL-WRITING R LEAD-WRITING TYPE Kurt Morlock, Pforzheim, and Eugen Kratz, Buchenbronn, near Pforzheim, Germany, assignors to Helnrich Morloek, Pforzheim, Germany, a irm of Germany Application April 22, 1955, Serial No. 503,152

18 Claims. (Cl. 1Z0-42.13)

The present invention relates to a writing implement, and more particularly to a pen or pencil provided with a plurality of carriers for writing in different colors. The carriers may have ball points, or colored leads.

Multi-color pencils and pens are known which can be actuated for selectively shifting writing points having diiferent colors into operative writing positions. It is also known to provide within a completely closed outer jacket a pivotally supported coupling member which is gravity operated to couple selected writing points with the actuating means of the writing implement. When the implement is tilted out of a vertical position, the gravity operated member moves to a lower position and couples the lowermost carrier of a writing point with the actuating means.

However, the multi-color writing implements according to the known art have the disadvantage that the gravity operated member has to overcome the friction of the pivot joint on which it is supported so that frequently shaking of the writing instrument is required before the gravity operated coupling member moves to coupling position;

It is the object of the present inventionto overcome the disadvantages of the known multi-color writing implements, and to provide a gravity operated writing implement in which in diiferent inclined positions ofthe instrument, different writing points are operated by the actuating means of the implement.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a writing implement in which the gravity operated coupling member does not have to overcome any sliding friction.

With these objects in view, the present invention mainly consists in a writing implement which comprises, in combination, an elongated jacket having a forward end, a plurality of carriers for writing points and mounted in the forward portion of the jacket for independent longitudinal movement into and out of an operative position projecting from the forward end of the jacket; a supporting element located in the jacket and being formed with a transverse chamber having a plurality of outer chamber portions respectively located rearwardly of the carriers; a rotary body having a continuous surface of revolution and located in the chamber supported only on the surface for free rolling movement on the surface of revolution in transverse direction between a plurality of coupling positions respectively located in one of the outer chamber portions opposite the rear end of one of the carriers so that the rotary body rolls to a coupling position located opposite the lowermost carrier when the writing implement is tilted out of a substantially vertical position; and means for moving the rotary body in any one of the coupling positions forwardly in longitudinal direction for shifting the respective lowermost carrier to the operative position.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carriers are associated with writing points of diierent colors, and either ball points or leads may be used.

2,837,057 Patented June 3, 1958 ICC ment is moved together with the ball when the actuating means of the writing implement are operated, and push the carrier behind which the ball is located, into the forwardly located operative position.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself,` however, both as to its construction and -its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specic embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of a writing implement according to the present invention in which two ball points are provided;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the writing implement shown in Fig. l taken in a plane extending perpendicular to the plane of section of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view on line III- III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view on line IV-IV of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view corresponding to Fig. 4 but illustrating a writing implement having four carriers for writing points;

Fig. V6 is a cross sectional view taken on line VI--VI of Fig. l;

Figs. 7 and 8 are side elevations of the writing implement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, partly shown in section for illustrating the locking and releasing means applied in the writing implement; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a multi-color pencil according to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, a pressure casing 3 is arranged at the rear end of an outer jacket 2 and is shiftable in longitudinal direction of the writing implement. A supporting element 4 is xedly secured to the pressure casing 3. The supporting element 4 'is provided withlongitudinally extending channels 6 in which Shanks 7 of carriers 8 are located. The carriers 8 are provided at the forward ends thereof with ball points of diierent colors. v

A chamber 9 is provided in the supporting element 4 and extends in transverse direction. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, two carriers for writing points are provided, and consequently the chamber 9 is a straight passage connecting the channels 6. In the embodiment of Fig, 5 the chamber 10 has four outer chamber portions constituting the corners of the chamber 10, and four channels 6 are provided which respectively extend from the outer corner portions of the transverse chamber 10.

A rotary body having a continuous surface of revolution, illustrated to be a ball 5 having a spherical surface, is located in the chamber 9, or in the chamber 10, respectively, and rolls on its surface when the writing implement is tilted out of a vertical position. When the writing implement is tilted to the left in Fig. l the ball 5 will roll from the illustrated position into a position located at the other end of the transverse chamber 9, and will be In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the ball 5 will roll to the lowermost located corner of the chamber 10 when the writing limplement is inclined. In any event, in every inclined position of the writing implement the ball 5 will be located at a portion of the transverse chamber where the rear end of the shank 7 of the respective carrier 81is located. The cross sectional'areas of the channels 6 is smaller than the diameter of the ball so that the ball cannot drop into the channels. However, when the supporting element is advanced, the ball 5 moves with the same and couples the supporting .element with one of the carrier means 8, :as will be described-hereinafter in greater detail.

Each of the shanks 7 has -an -abutment 12 for return springs 13, and a sleeve 14 is supported on the abutment and partly surrounds the respectivespring 13. The sleeve 14 serves as a guiding means for the shank 7 and springs 13.

Each sleeve 14 has at its rear end an enlarged opening 15 bounded by an edge on which the ball 5 abuts when `the implement Vis vsuitably tilted. The respective return spring 13 'engages the ball 5 and presses the sameagainst the edges 16 of the rear portion of therespective channel 6. Theforward end of the return springs 13 are secured to yazring -17 Awhich is shiftably mounted .on the respective shank 7, and which inturnrabuts against a partition wall 19 which is provided with vopenings18 for the shank 7. The carriers 8 abut lagainst the other side of the partition `wall `19when they are in retracted position.

The Shanks 7 have outwardlybentrear Iends 20 which extend through longitudinalslotslZl of a'sleeve 22. The

slotted sleeve 22 shiftably supports the forward end of the supporting element 4, while .the end sleeve 23 in cooperation with the offset 4portion 24 of the supporting element 4, acts as a terminal stop for the supporting element 4. The forward end portion of the slotted sleeve 22 has a beaded edge portion supporting the partition wall 19. The forward end of the sleeve 22 has a threaded `portion whichl is `screwed Vinto an.inner threaded ring 25 of the outer jacket 2, whereby sleeve 22 is xedly secured to the outer jacket. The screwed-on end sleeve 23 abuts with an annular outwardly projecting portion 26 against the rear edge of the outer jacket `2.

A return spring 27 acts on the pressure casing 3, and abuts at one end againstaange 28 4on the rear end of the supporting element 4; or against .the leg ofthe fastening clip 29, and-at its other end ,against the-end sleeve 23 of the slotted sleeve 22. Thesupporting element 4 is` connected with the pressure casing 3 by means of the saddle flange 28, by the Vlegv 29 passing through a slot in casing 3, and by the threaded` stem` 30 of the-.end cap 31 screwed into the leg 29.

A rotatable locking sleeve 33 .is mounted on the sleeve 22 between'theend vsleeve 23 and theannular-projecting portion 32. The locking sleeve 33 functions as a locking and releasing means for 'the outwardly projecting'end 20 of the shank 7 of the carrier 8 which is in operative writing position. The ends 20'engage a .slot 34 of the locking sleeve 33 which has enlargedlocketportions at -its ends.

Assuming-.that the writingimplement'is in thev position of Fig. 1 in which both carriersare retracted to inoperative positions, pressure exertedupon the pressure' casing 3 will effect forward movement of thesupporting element 4. If the implement is ,inclined with respect to the vertical position, the ball 5 is in one of its coupling positions locatedopposite-anopening15 of a sleeve 14 andfaligned with the lowermost carrier 8. vSince the rear portions of the channel'v are Vnarrower than the ball-5, the ball'5 will move in vforward direction with thesupporting .element andthe other actuatingmeans of the implement, and will bear against -the shank 7 of the selected carrier 8, so thatfthe bent portion 20 ofthe respective shank 7 advances inthe slots 21 and.34.and rotates,

f as -soon4 as it reaches the -forward Yslanting* slot edge 35, Vthe rotatable locking sleeve 33 to suchan-extent'that When thereupon the "implement isturned4 ininclined positionthrough 180;thenthe ball'S rolls injthechamber 4 l 9 to another coupling position located aligned with the shank of the now lowermost carrier means 8. When the actuating means 3, 4 are operated again, the now lowermost shank 7 is coupled by ball 5 to the supporting element 6 and the respective carrier is advanced to operative position.

During such operation, the respective bent end 20 slides first along the slanting slot edge 37 at the rear end of slot 34, see Figs. 7 and 8, so that the locking sleeve 33 is rotated in opposite direction to such an extent that the bent end 20 of the shank 7 of the carrier 8 which was in writing position, is released so that the respective carrier is returned by its return spring 30 to a retracted position of rest. The bent end 20 of the carrier 8 which is next to be moved into writing position is then locked as previously described.

A plurality of indicating marks 38 is provided on the pressure casing 3, and -are respectively associated with the different carriers 8. For example if one of the carriers has a red ball point, the associated mark is also red. The red point will appear on top when the implement is inclined to a position in which the respective red ball point carrier is in lowermost position, and consequently operative. The embodiment of Fig. 1 shows ball points associated with the carrier 8. Fig. 9 illustrates a multi-color pencil in which the carriers are provided with leadl writing points. In this embodiment, the front portion 40 is detachable to permit a change of the writing point.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or'two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of writing implements differing from the types described above.

While the .invention has 'been illustrated and described as embodied in a writing implement having a plurality of carriers for writing points which are selected for operation by a Vgravity operated ball, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without de- A.parting in any-way from lthe spirit of the present invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a-writing implement, Vin combination, an elongated jacket having a forward end; a plurality of carriers for writing points and mounted in the forward portion of said jacket for independent longitudinal movement into and out of Aan operative position projecting from said forward end of said jacket; actuating means mounted rearwardly of said carriers on .said jacket for longitu- `dinal movement and being formed with a transverse chamber having a .plurality of outer chamber portions :respectively located rearwardly of said carriers; and a rotary body having a continuous surface of revolution and being located in said chamber supported only on said surface for free rolling movement on said surface of revolution in transverse direction between a plurality of coupling positions respectively located in one of said outer chamber portions opposite one of said carriers so that said rotary rolling body rolls to a coupling position located opposite the lowermost carrier when said writing implement -is tilted out of a substantially vertical position, said rotary rolling body being supported in said chamber nonmovable in longitudinal direction so as to move with said actuating means in longitudinal direction for shifting the respective `lowermost carrier to said operative position.

2. In a writingimplement, in combination, an elongated jacket having a forward end; a plurality of carriers for writing lpoints and mounted in the forward portion of said jacket for independent longitudinal movement into and out of an operative-position projecting from said forward Aend of saidjacket; actuating means mounted rearwardly of said carriers .on said jacket for longitudinal movement toward and away from said forward end, said actuating means including a supporting element formed with a plurality of longitudinal channels respectively receiving one of said carriers and with a transverse chamber connecting said channels; and a rotary rolling body located in said transverse chamber and being freely movable in the same in transverse direction between a plurality of coupling positions respectively located in one of said channels so that said rotary rolling body moves to a position located opposite the lowermost carrier when said writing implement is tilted out of a substantially vertical position, said rotary rolling body being non-movable in longitudinal direction in said chamber an-d in said channels so that said rotary rolling body moves with said actuating means in longitudinal direction and shifts the respective lowermost carrier member to said operative position when said actuating means is moved toward said forward end of said jacket.

3. A writing implement as set forth in claim 2 and including a plurality of ball point writing means' mounted on said carriers and adapted to dispense inks of different colors.

4. A writing implement as set forth in claim 2 and including a plurality of lead holding writing means mounted on said carriers and adapted to hold leads of different colors.

5. In a writing implement, in combination, an elongated jacket having a forward end; a plurality of carriers for writing 'points and mounted in the forward portion of said jacket for independent longitudinal movement into and out of an operative position projecting from said forward end of said jacket; actuating means mounted rearwardly of said carriers on said jacket for longitudinal movement; and a ball having a continuous spherical surface and mounted on said actuating means for free rolling movement on said spherical surface in transverse direction between a plurality of coupling positions respectively located opposite one of said carriers so that said ball rolls to a position located opposite the lowermost carrier when said writing implement is tilted out of a substantially vertical position, said ball being mounted in said actuating means non-movable in longitudinal direction so as to move with said actuating means in longitudinal direction for shifting the respective lowermost carrier to said operative position.

6. Inl a writing implement, in combination, an elongated jacket having a forward end; a plurality of carriers for writing points and mounted in the forward portion of said jacket for independent longitudinal movement into and out of an operative position projecting from said forward end of said jacket; actuating means mounted rearwardly of said carriers on said jacket for longitudinal movement toward and away from said forward end, said actuating means including a supporting element formed with a plurality of longitudinal channels respectively receiving one of said carriers and with a transverse chamber connecting said channels; and a ball located in said transverse chamber and being freely movable in the same in transversedirection between a plurality of coupling positions respectively located in one of said channels so that said ball moves to a position located-opposite the lowermost carrier when said writing implement is tilted out of a substantially vertical position, said ball being non-movable in longitudinal direction in said chamber and in said channels so that said ball moves with said actuating means in longitudinal direction and shifts the respective lowermost carrier member to said operative position when said actuating means is moved toward said forward end of said jacket.

7. A writing implement as set forth in claim 6 wherein said supporting element has two longitudinal channels and wherein said transverse chamber is a transverse channel having two ends respectively -located in said channels.

8. In a writing implemennin combination, an elongated jacket having a forward end; va plurality of carriers for writing points and mounted in the forward portion of said jacket for independent longitudinal movement into and out of an operative position projecting from said forward end of said jacket; spring means respectively associated with said carriers for retracting the same from said operative position; actuating means mounted rearwardly of said carriers on said jacket for longitudinal movement toward and away from said forward end and being formed with a transverse chamber having a plurality of outer chamber portions respectively located rearwardly of said carriers; and a rotary body having a continuous surface of revolution and being .located in said chamber supported only on said surface for free rolling movement on said surface of revolution movable in transverse direction between a plurality of coupling positions respectively located in one of said outer chamber portions opposite one of said carriers so that said rotary rolling body rolls to a coupling position 4located opposite the lowermost carrier when said writing implement is tilted out of a substantially vertical position, said rotary rolling body being supported in said chamber non-movable in longitudinal direction so as to move with said actuating means in longitudinal direction for shifting the respective lowermost carrier to said operative position; resilient means urging said actuating means away from said forward end; locking means for locking each of said carriers in said operative position thereof, said locking means being controlled by said carriers to release a carrier locked in said operative position when another of said carriers is actuated to move to said operative position thereof so that a released carrier is retracted by the associated spring means.

9. In a writing implement, in combination, an elongated jacket having a forward end; a plurality of carriers for writing points and mounted in the forward portion of said jacket for independent longitudinal movement into and out of an operative position projecting from said forward end of said jacket; spring means respectively associated with said carriers for retracting the same from said operative positions; actuating means mounted rearwardly of said carriers on said jacket for longitu- -dinal movement toward and away from said forward end, said actuating means including a supporting element formed with a plurality of longitudinal channels respectively receiving one of said carriers and with a transverse chamber connecting said channels; resilient means urging said actuating means and said supporting element away from said forward end; a rotary lrolling body located in said transverse chamber and being freely movable in the same in transverse direction between a plurality of coupling positions respectively located in one of said channels so that said rotary rolling body moves to a position located opposite the lowermost carrier when said writing implement is tilted out of a substantially vertical position, said rotary rolling body being non-movable in longitudinal direction in said chamber and in said channels so that sai-d rotary rolling body moves with said-actuating means in longitudinal direction and shifts the respective lowermost carrier member to said operative position when said actuating means is moved toward said forward end of said jacket; locking means for locking each of said carriers in said operative position thereof, said locking means being controlled by said carriers to release a carrier locked in said operative position when another of said carriers is actuated to move to said operative position thereof so that a released carrier is retracted by the associated spring means.

l0. A writing implement as set forth in claim 9 wherein said rolling body is a ball, and wherein each of said channels is formed with transverse recesses having curved surfaces corresponding to the spherical surface of said 7 -ba ll for holding said ball non-movable -in 'longitudinal direction insaid channels.

lfl. .A multi-color writing implement, -in combination, -a Aslotless elongated outer-jacket-having a forward end; a -plurality-ofcarriers for-writing points having-different colors, said carriers being mounted in the forward Ipor- -tien of-said Acasing for independent longitudinal move- -ment into and out of an operative position projecting 4,from -said forward end of said jacket, -each of Asaid car- -riers including a shank and a -return lspring mounted on-said-shank andbeingfoperatively connected to said jacket for urging lsaid -carriers to a retracted position; -a Vshiftable pressure case mounted at the rear end of said .jacket Afor movement in longitudinal direction; a supportling'elementconnectedto said pressure case for movevnient therewithtoward and away from the forward end, said ^supporting element being formed with a plurality -of longitudinal channels respectivelyreceiving one of said carriers and with a transverse chamber connecting said Achannels; and arotary rolling body located in -said transverse chamber and "being freelymovable in the same in -transverse direction between a plurality of coupling positionslrespectively located in one of said channels so that said rotary `rolling body vmoves to a position located opposite y'the lowermost carrier when said writing imple- `ment is tilted out of a substantially vertical position, said rotary rolling body being non-movable in longitudinal `direction in-said chamber and in said channels so that said-rotary rolling-body moves with said actuating means in longitudinal direction and shifts the respective lowermost carrier member to said operative position when said actuatingmeans is moved toward said forward end of said jacket.

l2. Anvimplement as set forth in claim 11 wherein said body is-aspherical ball, and wherein said channels have a diameter smaller than the diameter of said ball.

13. An-implement as set forth inclaim 12 wherein :the rear portions of said channels are narrow slots.

1.4. An implement .as set forth in claim l1 and including .a longitudinally slotted guide sleeve xedly secured `to.said jacket Aand movably receiving theforward end .ofrsaid supporting element; .wherein said.shanks rearwardly extend from said carriers and have outwardly .bent rear end portions Vextending through said slots of said slotted guide sleeve; and including further a longitudinal slotted locking and releasing sleeve turnably mounted'on saidguide sleeve between the same -and said jacketand receiving said outwardly bent rear end portionsof saidishanks in theslots thereof, said locking and `releasing sleeveautomatically locking the shank of a carrier in said operative position and automatically releasing lsaid .shank upon shifting of another carrier into operative position.

15. `A writing implement as set forth in claim 1l and including color marks on said jacket respectively associlatedwith different carriers for indicating the carrier in lowermost position.

16. In awritingimplement, in combination, an elongated jacket having a-forward end; a plurality of carriers Yfor writing points and mounted in the forward portion offsaid jaket-for'independent longitudinal movement into and out of an operative position projecting from said forwardrend of said jacket; `a supporting element located in `said jacket andgbeing formed with a transverse chamberhaving a plurality of outer chamber portions respectively located-rearwardly of `said carriers; a rotary body having a continuous surface of revolution and located in `sairlfchan1terf snpported -onl-ybn said `surface for free -rolling movement on said surface of revolution lin transversefdirection between a plurality of coupling positions respectively -locatedin yone of said outer chamber portions opposite the rear end of one of said carriers so .that said Arotary-body rolls to a coupling position located lopposite the lowermost carrier when said writing irnplement is tilted out of a substantially vertical position; and means for moving said rotary body in any one of said coupling positions forwardly in longitudinal direction forshifting the respective lowermost carrier to said operative position.

17. In .a writing implement, in combination, an elongated jacket having a forward end; a plurality of carriers for writing points and mounted in the forward portion'of said jacket for independent longitudinal movement into and out of an operative position projecting from said vforward end of said jacket; a supporting element locatedinsaid jacket and being formed with a transverse chamber having a lplurality of outer chamber portions .respectively `locatedrearwardly of said carriers, said supporting element being formed with a plurality of longitudinal channels respectively extending in forward direction from said outer chamber portions and .housing said carriers; a vrotary body having a continuous surface of revolution and located in said chamber supported only on said surface for free rolling movement on said surface of revolution in transverse direction between a plurality.of coupling positions respectively located in one of .said outer `chamber portions opposite the rear end .of one of saidcarriers so that said rotary body rolls to acoupling ,position located opposite the lowermost carrier .whensaid writing implement is tilted out of a substantially vertical position; and means for moving said rotary :body .in any one of said coupling positions fortwardly in longitudinal direction for shifting the respective :lowermostcarrier to said operative position.

18. In a writing implement, in combination, an elongated jacket having a forward end; a plurality of carriers vforswriting fpoints and mounted in the forward portion of said vjacket for independent longitudinal movement into andout of an operative position projecting from said forward end of said jacket; a supporting element located in said jacketand being formed with a transverse chamber having a plurality of outer chamber portions respectively located rearwardly of said carriers; a rotary lball having a continuous spherical surface and located in said chamber .supported only on said surface for free rolling movement on said spherical surface in transverse direction between a plurality of coupling positions respectively llocated in one of said outer chamber portions opposite the rear end of one of said carriers so that said rotary ball rolls to a coupling `position located opposite the lowermost carrier ywhen said writing implement is tilted out of a substantially vertical position; and means `formovingsad rotary ball in any one of said coupling positions forwardly in longitudinal direction for shifting the respective lowermost carrier to said operative posi- 

